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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

One Year Pub-iversary!!

A lot can happen in a year....

Since becoming a mother, I've been hyper-aware of the passing of time. Watching my babies grow into children, developing their unique personalities, senses of humor and ways of looking at the world has been one of my greatest joys in life.

Almost eight years ago, I became a mother...and the passing of time had anything and everything to do with my babies....

But, last year, my world exploded. I will always be a mother---I will always be aware of how quickly our lives continue to change as my children develop and grow and learn so much more about the world. But, in this past year---I became more than that.

I became an author.
Again.

Many of you don't know this about me, but here goes----I wrote a book a lonnnnng time ago. It was published in 2006 and tanked. Like really badly. So badly that I didn't think I'd ever write again. So badly that I felt there was no way that I was meant to be a writer in any way, shape, or form....But, that all changed in 2012.

In 2012, I discovered Indie authors. I was inspired, motivated, wrapped up in the characters they had created. I admired their determination to do this on their own---to get their stories out into the hands of readers. And the more I learned about the indie community, the more I felt my resolve strengthening....I stopped punishing myself mentally for the lack of success my first book had achieved. In other words, I put on my big girl panties....logged into my computer.....and found the file originally called "Catching Bouquets and other Grown Up Adventures"----I read through it and I started thinking....a lot. I thought about my main character (originally named Jane) and the one who got away. I thought about how I wanted her story to end....and I reflected on how different my own life had turned out than what I'd expected....but that I wouldn't change a thing. And the theme of the story was born. And a domino effect began, which led to my pressing publish on September 4 for Bouquet Toss.

So much happened since that day.

I was lucky enough to assist in hosting a book signing for Indie authors---in fact, all of my favorite authors were in the same room. It was amazing. And I got to talk to them, celebrate them, learn from them, and enjoy each of their unique personalities.

I was able to meet other readers, bloggers and aspiring writers who have CHANGED MY WORLD. They've become my best friends, my co-workers, my sounding board, my blessings.

Because of said friends in this new "book world" I felt ready to continue writing...to dive into another story and a few months later, Champagne Toast was published. By then, the bug had bitten me in a BIG way...

I started working on Picturing Perfect and attended the RT Booklovers Convention in Kansas City where this "book world" continued to widen for me---I was able to meet so many more people share this passion. I was able to spend great lengths of time with friends I'd made----friends I wouldn't trade for the world.

In June, I self-published "Picturing Perfect"...and about a month later, was contacted by Montlake Romance---an imprint of Amazon Publishing. Later this month on September 24, it will be re-released under the Montlake imprint. I'm excited to see where this new development will lead.

And now, because of this past 365 days, I now know that, yes, I'll always be a mother. I'll always watch the passage of time take place by watching my babies grow up. But, in addition to that, I now have the confidence to say that I'll always be an author. I won't be giving up on myself again. I won't let the success (or lack thereof) of one book define me.

I will always be a mother.
I will always be an author.
And I will always be grateful.
And I have you to thank.

NONE of this would have been possible without readers. You transformed my life this past year, and I can't thank you enough! I'm so excited to see what this next year will bring!!!!

Definitely Picturing Perfect. Jason is just so......yummy, delectable, strong, swoony, etc. etc. etc :-) I love how how he has always been there for Hadley, even if just on the sidelines. True love <3 And Hadley is kickass. I love how she stands up for herself and her child. I love how she loves Jason!

My absolute favorite book is Champagne Toast. I am not sure exactly why, but there is something about Kate and Evan's story that was so perfect for me. It was one of those books that, if I could, I would go back and reread for the first time. My favorite character is Jason Kelly. I absolutely love his love for Hadley. He is so perfect with his insecurities. He is the epitome of the perfect book boyfriend. Swoon!

Champagne Toast was so good - I loved the intertwining of their past and future together. And Even - LOVE!! But I have to say my absolute favorite character is Jason Kelly. He is so sweet, so great... I love him!

I haven't read Champagne Toast or Bouquet Toss yet! But I have read Picturing Perfect and I absolutely loved it! Jason was my favorite character with all his witty shirts and cause of the love he had for Hadley and her daughter. I laughed, ugly cried till my heart hurt, and swooned. I can't wait to read Champagne Toast and Bouquet Toss! Good luck to everyone! (:

I love all your books but my favorite is definitely Picturing Perfect which leads me to my favorite character....Jason Kelly! He's funny, sweet, and packing some major hotness hiding under his funny t-shirts and nerdiness. He was just to real to me! <3~Brandi F.